The new Tavern is scheduled to open in September in the former Avenues Bistro space, 10681 Mission Road. That restaurant closed its Leawood location last month.

Joyce Smith contributed to this item.

Calling all pie bakers

If you’re into baking — or if you just like pie — head to Recordbar, 1020 Westport Road, at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 for an ol’-fashioned pie contest.

The contest, which is free to enter, will be judged by its founder, Sarah Star Wilkison, Recordbar owner Shawn Sherril and blue ribbon-winning baker Jenny Merrigan. The judges will grade each pie on appearance, consistency, taste, creativity and memorable-ness. They’ll hand out awards for first, second and third place as well as people’s choice.

At the last of these pie contests — there have been three so far — first place was awarded to a strawberry chocolate pie with a crushed pretzel crust, chocolate mousse filling and fresh strawberries on top.

Boulevard takes it ‘to 11’ with new beer

Reverb Imperial Pilsner, which hits shelves in mid-August, features a guitar amp on the 750-millileter bottle. And according to a press release, Boulevard brewers took the summer seasonal’s flavor and aroma “to 11” — to quote Nigel Tufnel in “Spinal Tap” — with a process called first wort hopping that allows the hops in the beer to steep longer.

The beer has a dry, crisp finish and pairs well with grilled seafood and chicken, according to the brewery.

Wine Spectator toasts 17 local restaurants

The August issue of Wine Spectator magazine dishes out awards of excellence to 17 Kansas City area restaurants for their outstanding wine selections. On the list: Michael Smith in the Crossroads Arts District, Gaslight Grill in Leawood, WestChase Grille in Overland Park, Story in Prairie Village, Ten in Lawrence, and Chaz on the Plaza on, well, the Country Club Plaza. For a complete list, pick up a copy of the magazine, or go to winespectator.com.

South Plaza nabs a Whole Foods

Whole Foods, an Austin, Texas-based chain of organic food stores, recently announced plans to open a store in a new development planned on 51st Street between Brookside Boulevard and Oak Street.

The 30,000-square-foot grocery store will anchor a mixed-use development that will include 150 luxury apartments and offices for the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Whole Foods already has two stores in the area, both of them in Overland Park.

Kevin Collison contributed to this item.

Lawrence restaurant, New Belgium pair for beer dinner

The Eldridge, the historic hotel at 701 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence, will be host of a beer dinner at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16.

The tasty event begins with appetizers and Fat Tire Amber Ale at 6:30 p.m. in The Big 6 Bar, an upscale sports pub in the hotel’s basement. Tickets cost $45 per person plus tax and gratuity and can be reserved by calling 785-749-1005, or send email to lindsay@oliviacollection.com.